226 Heliosciurus mutabilissize: Female—HB 231.0 mm (n = 11); T 274.0 mm (n = 22);
Mass 382.5 g (n = 2).
Male—HB 225.7 mm (n = 7); T 235.2 mm (n = 9); Mass
332.9 g (n = 2).
Sex not stated—HB 240.0 mm (n = 2); T 185.0 mm (n = 2);
Mass 290.0 g (n = 2).
distribution: The range of this East African species
stretches from eastern Zambia and northern Zimbabwe
westward to central Tanzania and south through Malawi to
southern Mozambique.
geographic variation: Five subspecies are recognized.
H. m. mutabilis—southern highlands of Tanzania and Mo-
zambique. This subspecies has a dark brown dorsal pel-
age and a whitish, yellowish, or brownish gray ventral
pelage. The tail rings are light, and they are subtler than
in the other subspecies. Some individuals display a wide
dark stripe along the back from the forehead to the tail,
occasionally broadening on the fl anks and the rump.
Some also show a dark patch on the back.
H. m. beirae—southern highlands of Tanzania and Mozam-
bique. This subspecies has distinct light-colored tail
rings and a white ventral pelage.
H. m. chirindensis—Chirinda Forest in the Melsetter District,
“Rhodesia” (Zimbabwe). The ventral coloration ranges
from buff y white with an ochre tinge to deep ochre or
gray brown. It has a paler pelage on the belly than on the
fl anks, and distinct tail rings.
H. m. shirensis—Zambia, western Malawi, far southwestern
Tanzania, regions adjacent to Mozambique, and south-
east Zimbabwe. The pelage is paler and lacks the dorsal
black patch of H. m. mutabilis. The limbs and belly are
white to buff y, and the tail exhibits 16 light tail rings.
H. m. vumbae—Zimbabwe–Mozambique highlands, spa-
tially separated from H. m. mutabilis by 300 km. This sub-
species has a dark pelage, with a uniform ventral and
dorsal coloration. The dorsal band is dark and subtler
than in the other subspecies.conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—no information.habitat: The mutable sun squirrel favors lowland or mon-
tane evergreen forests in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, as
well as riparian forests and thickets in Brachystegia and Jul-
bernardia woodlands.natural history: The mutable sun squirrel is a diurnal
and relatively asocial species, living alone or with one other
individual. These animals make nests in tree holes or thick
tangles of vines on high branches. Individuals are known to
consume Kigelia fruit and ivy leaves, but they may also eat
insects and other vegetation. Little is known about their re-
productive behavior; a female from eastern Zimbabwe was
found pregnant with four young in August.general references: Ansell 1960; Skinner and Chimimba
2005; Smithers and Wilson 1979.Heliosciurus mutabilis. Photo courtesy Bruce G. Marcot, used by permission.